Ronaldo Makes History With 300 Goals For Real Madrid

With his five goals against Granada, Cristiano Ronaldo reached 300 as
a Real Madrid player, making him the third Whites player to reach the
figure after Raúl and Di Stéfano.

According to realmadrid.com, the Portuguese has hit the tally in 287
appearances and only has Raúl and Di Stéfano ahead of him. His scoring
rate is impressive, and betters that of the two Madrid legends.

Raúl netted 323 times in 741 matches, with Di Stéfano picking up 308 in 396.

In his time at the Santiago Bernabéu, Cristiano Ronaldo has so far
scored 214 goals in La Liga, 60 in the Champions League, 21 in the
Copa del Rey, 3 in the Spanish Super Cup and 2 in the European Super
Cup.

Hat-trick in eight minutes
The Real Madrid man notched an astonishing eight-minute hat-trick
against Granada. He made it 2-0 on 30 minutes, before adding his
team's third with a close-range finish six minutes later and grabbing
another for 4-0 with 38 on the clock.

In the second half, he capped his performance with two more goals.
It's the 28th time that Ronaldo has found the net three or more times
in a match with Real Madrid, level with Di Stéfano.

Among La Liga's historic goalscorers

Ronaldo continues to climb the scoring rankings in the competition,
and has now moved to eighth on 214 goals, having overtaken Pahíño
(211).

The Portuguese has taken 191 games to get to the figure, while the
Galician forward played 278 for Celta, Real Madrid and Deportivo.

Quini (219 goals) is next in his sights in the list of all-time La
Liga marksmen.

302 Reps Won't Return To House In June

>Photo: Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal

About 302 out the 360 members of the House of Representatives will not
return to their seats when the 8th session of the National Assembly
will be inaugurated on June 6, investigation by The PUNCH shows.

Leading the pack are the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal; the Deputy
Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha; the House Majority Leader, Mulikat
Akande-Adeola; the Chief Whip, Ishaka Bawa; the Minority Whip,
Sampson Osagie; and the Deputy Minority Leader, Abdulrahman
Suleiman-Kawu.

Other prominent non-returning lawmakers are a former Chairman, Adhoc
Committee on Fuel Subsidy Probe, Farouk Lawan; and the Chairman,
House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Ajibola. Muraina.

Lawan, also a former chairman, House Committee on Information and
House Committee on Education, was first elected to the House in 1999.

While Tambuwal, Ihedioha and other principal officers vied for either
governorship or senatorial positions, the majority of the lawmakers
lost their re-election bid during the March 28 National Assembly
election, leaving just about 58, who scaled through the hurdles.

The PUNCH had reported earlier in December 2014 that over 155
lawmakers failed across political parties to secure return tickets at
their party primaries. More losses were recorded at the main election
on March 28.

In 2011, about 99 lawmakers returned from the 2007 set.

The PUNCH findings on Sunday showed that the Peoples Democratic Party
recorded the heaviest losses, as more results of the elections became
available on Sunday.

The PDP had less than 160 members before the March 28 election from
its original majority strength of 208 in June 2011, owing to mass
defection to the All Progressives Congress.

Investigations indicated that the performance of the PDP at the poll
still left it with a membership figure under 150.

A National Assembly official toldThe PUNCHon Sunday that with many
members of the PDP exiting the House, the APC had a clear majority.

He said, "The APC is in the majority clearly; it doesn't call for
debate, judging from the outcome of the elections.

."We are talking of above 200 members now and the preoccupation is how
the party will constitute the next House by picking its leaders."

The PUNCH learnt that states with the highest number of members also
failed most to return their old members.

For instance, all but six out of the 24 lawmakers from Lagos State did
not make it to the next Assembly.

The successful six are the current Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila;
Abayomi Ayeola; James Faleke; Jide Akintoye; Yakub Balogun and Dauda
Kako-Are.

Similarly, not up to 10 of Kano's 24 members survived the
keenly-contested elections.

Kaduna State has 16 members, but not up to 10 are returning. Same for
Benue State whose six, out of 11 legislators failed to win the
election.

The returning lawmakers in Benue are Herman Hembe (APC); John Dyegh
(APC); Ezekiel Adaji (PDP); Sampson Okwu (PDP) and. Emmanuel Udende
(PDP).

All six new comers are from the APC, giving the party eight lawmakers
in the House out of the 11 representing Benue State.

Akwa Ibom returned only two out of 10 while Bayelsa returned only one
member out of six.

Abia State returned three of its eight lawmakers.

Reacting to the high turnover of members, the Chairman, House
Committee on Electoral Matters, Jerry Manwe, described it as a
"disaster."

Manwe, a member of the Social Democratic Party, said the House would
be "almost entirely new in June."

Though, Manwe admitted that such was the "beauty of democracy," he
expressed reservations that the new environment would slow down
legislative proceedings.

He said, "We are going to have a situation where so many people will
have to learn everything from the scratch.

"Some will not even know why they are here; there will be a lot of
challenges ahead, but this is democracy.

The Chairman, House Committee on Justice, Ahmad Ali, also observed
that the National Assembly would have the "uphill task" of training a
new House as from June.

Ali said, "I don't see the scenario in front of the House as easy;
they will have to spend more money to train all these people afresh.

"It is a huge budget because you are throwing experience away for new
hands, who can hardly do anything on their own without adequate
training on legislative processes."
--PUNCH

Kenya Pounds Al-Shabab Positions In Somalia After Varsity Massacre

Kenya's military has launched air strikes against al-Shabab bases in
Somalia following an attack on a Kenyan university that killed 148
people last week.

Colonel David Obonyo, a military spokesman, said on Monday that
warplanes had attacked positions of the al-Shabab group on Sunday
afternoon and early Monday morning.

Al-Shabab, which is based in Somalia, claimed responsibility for
Thursday's attack on the Garissa University College campus in
northeastern Kenya.

After besieging the university, the al-Shabab gunmen lined up
non-Muslim students before executing them in the armed group's
bloodiest attack to date.

The attack claimed the lives of 142 students, three police officers
and three soldiers.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday pledged that the attackers would
face justice for the "mindless slaughter" and vowed to retaliate for
the killings in the "severest way".

INEC Insists On Card Reader For Gov Poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission has restated its
commitment to use card readers for the governorship and state House of
Assembly elections on Saturday.

INEC stated this in its statement on Monday by Secretary to the
Commission, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu.

It said, "The provision of the Guidelines for the conduct of the 2015
General Elections, which outlined what is to be done if a Card Reader
fails and cannot be replaced by the Commission within a specified time
frame (i.e. Reschedule the election to the next day), will be
enforced."

It explained that the relaxation of the strict use of card reader was
only limited to the March 28 election due to the circumstances
regarding the card reader use that day, saying the commission had
taken steps to address the identified lapses for future elections.

INEC added, "The relaxation of the Guideline on 28th March 2015 was
only with respect to the Presidential and National Assembly elections
held on that date.

"The Commission has reviewed the operation of the Card Reader in the
28th March Elections, identified the challenges and has taken adequate
measures to address them."

'PDP'll Resist Plot To Remove Rivers REC'

THE Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has vowed to
resist an alleged plot by the Independent National Electoral
Commission in connivance with the All Progressives Congress to remove
the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Gesila Khan.

The state PDP specifically accused the state Governor, Mr. Rotimi
Amaechi, of planning to bribe INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega,
to remove Khan and replace her with a card-carrying member of the APC.

The State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, who
spoke withThe PUNCHin a telephone interview on Saturday, cautioned
Jega to stay away from Rivers and allow the state REC to be.

It will be recalled that the PDP polled 1,487,075 votes while the APC
got 69,238 votes, an election result that the APC in the state had
continued to describe as unrealistic.

But Nwanosike explained that the outcome of the Presidential and
National Assembly elections was the wish of the people of the state,
adding that the state REC had done nothing to merit the alleged plot
to remove her.

He added that the governor was planning to influence the appointment
of some APC members in the state as INEC ad hoc employees with a view
to rigging the election in favour of the ruling party in the state.

"Jega should stay away from Rivers. We (PDP) are aware of the plan to
change the Rivers State REC. As I speak to you, Governor Amaechi has
paid Jega so that the APC can manipulate the governorship election in
the state.

"The plan is to remove the Rivers State REC and bring in a
card-carrying member of the APC to replace her. We will resist any
move to remove Gesila Khan. Rivers people will resist plan to remove
her," Nwanosike stressed.

However, the APC described the allegation against Amaechi and INEC as
laughable, explaining that it was not in the character of Amaechi to
bribe anybody to achieve a legitimate objective.

The State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Chris Finebone, told The
PUNCH that Jega remained an impeccable character that would never be
bribed by anybody.

Finebone described the call for the removal of the state REC as
legitimate and recalled that the state APC had raised the alarm in the
past that Khan had compromised on her duty to conduct a free and fair
election in Rivers State.

"All these allegations against Amaechi and INEC are laughable and
false. Nobody needs to bribe Jega or INEC before the state REC, who
has obviously compromised, is removed. We raised the alarm before the
election that the woman was partial, but nobody listened to us.

"On the allegation that Amaechi is planning to bribe Jega, the PDP in
the state should know that it takes two persons for a bribe to take
place, and the two persons mentioned are not interested in anything
called bribe.

"So, you will agree with me that the story of bribe is an afterthought
which must be disregarded by Rivers people and Nigerians. We (APC)
have said that the current REC iin Rivers must leave and we are
maintaining that," Finebone added.
--PUNCH

Pray God Gives Buhari A Hearing Heart --T.B. Joshua

Televangelist and cleric of the Synagogue Church of All Nations
(SCOAN), Prophet Temitope Joshua, Sunday, urged Nigerians to pray to
God that president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) should have a
hearing heart- a heart that will listen to what the public is saying
and want to know God's opinion.

Joshua told his congregation in a message televised live via his
Christian network, Emmanuel TV and posted on the social network of the
church, that it will be imperative for the new government to be led by
the All Progressives Congress, APC, to have a hearing heart.

He prayed for the new government and urged Nigerians to do same.

"Join me to pray for the new government, headed by President-Elect
Buhari. Ask God to give our President a hearing heart - a heart that
will listen to what the public is saying and want to know God's
opinion," he said.

He also said that he told President Goodluck Jonathan, that he would
lose the March 28 presidential election.

He said he does not belong to any political party because of his
prophetic ministry, so that he can deliver his revelation without bias
or fear.

"That is why I don't belong to any party. All the parties are my own.
I love everyone. If I belong to this party and the message of God is
now against that party, how will I present it - when no one knows the
mind of God? It is better I am free to deliver God's message."

He said that material gain was not his mission and that no exchange of
money can be involved when it comes to spiritual matters such as
prophecy.

"I am a material to be used that will not cost you any money. I am
afraid to collect money from you because if I collect it, it will
affect the gift and grace of God in my life.
--Vanguard

PDP In Jigawa Expels Deputy Governor Over Sabotage

The deputy governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Ahmad Mahmud has been
expelled from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for alleged
anti-party activities.

A statement signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Kafinta, PDP chairman of
Galagamma ward in Gumel, Jigawa, revealed that the decision to expel
Mahmud was taken during a stakeholders meeting held in his ward.

According to the statement made available to the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Dutse, the chairman alleged that the deputy
governor had sabotaged PDP during the recent National Assembly
election.

He said that the Gumel Local Government headquarters of the party, had
endorsed the expulsion.

Efforts by NAN to get the comments of the deputy governor on the
matter, was futile as he neither picked a call nor replied a text
message sent to him.
--NAN

"Pray For Buhari, Osinbajo Not To Die In Power" --Prophet Who Predicted Jonathan's Defeat

Popular Osun State-born Prophet, J.K. Hephzibah, otherwise known as
Baba Peculiar, who predicted the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan
in the presidential election in one of his prophesies, has disclosed
that the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, needs fervent
prayers from Nigerians in order not to die in power like President
Umaru Yar'Adua.

The respectable cleric made this known on Saturday in Lagos while
addressing national issues.

According to Hephzibah: "One of my seven-point messages to the
president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, that is been packaged to be
released during my miracle night in Lagos in a few days time is that
Nigerians should pray for President Buhari in order to avert his
death.

"I saw the new president in my vision being kept somewhere for most of
his followers to rule this country."

Baba Peculiar, in his predictions, further said Buhari, as loved by
many, is not the messiah to save this country.

He said he would just rule for a period of time to pave the way for
God's chosen person that will take Nigeria to the Promise Land.

The cleric added: "I see Professor Yemi Osinbajo ruling this country,
while General Buhari will just be there like a ceremonial head.

"In fact, Osinbajo also needs to be careful because he would be
assassinated by an ex-military Head of State.

"God told me he is giving the mandate to Jimi Agbaje of PDP (Peoples
Democratic Party) in Lagos State, but the power that be in APC (All
Progressives Congress) will try to upturn the election in their favour
and if care is not taken, this may lead to crisis."

The notable prophet, in his conclusion, urged all men of God to pray
for Buhari in order for him to complete is term.

"I implore Nigerian men of God to avoid being used by politicians.

"By doing so, they are playing God and the consequence will not be
palatable," said Hephzibah.
--dailypost

Bishop Mike Okonkwo Rewards Airport Staff Who Returned Huge Sum Of Money

Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Dr. Mike Okonkwo
pictured rewarding Josephine Ugwu, the airport staff who returned lost
money, at his church.

Photo credit: Ògbẹ́ni Olúmîde

Emmanuel Emenike Escapes Death In Turkey, Recounts Ordeal

Super Eagles forward, Emmanuel Emenike has narrated his ordeal hours
after he narrowly escaped death in Turkey.

According to Emenike, he and his Fenerbahce teammates were left in
shock after their team bus was shot at by a gunman on Saturday night
in Turkey.

The Turkish league leaders were travelling to Trabzon airport to fly
back to Istanbul, following their 5-1 victory over Rizespor, when the
shooting happened.

BBC Sport reports that the driver was taken to hospital, but no
players were injured in the attack which Emenike described as a'scary
moment'.

"The incident left several players in shock on a day we should be
celebrating a big away win,"Emenike told BBC Sport.

"I was on the phone with my brother when I heard the loud sound and I
thought one of our tyres had busted because the bus was swerving on
the road.

"But when I found our security officer in front of the bus I knew
something must have gone awfully wrong."

The 27 year old Emenike says it was not long before they realized
someone had been hurt.

"We quickly realized the security guy was the one who hit the break,
and he said the driver [who was already soaked in blood] had been
shot.

"The word 'shot' came as a big shock but when we saw blood and the
shattered driver's side window, it quickly turned into a scary moment
for everyone on the bus."

He continued:"It's unbelievable that some people actually fired shots
at our bus and the driver was badly hit, a bus conveying footballers
and officials.

"It's strange, but it's also an indication that things happen in life
and no one can be guaranteed complete safety.

"I just want to wish our brave driver a speedy recovery. I will
forever be grateful to him and our security man because that bus could
have plunged down the bridge.

"The outcome could have been terrible and tragic but we are all here
today because of them and of course God was on our side.

For Emenike, the shooting was particularly shocking as it brought back
bad memories.

"I've been involved in a terrible accident in Nigeria before, where my
mother suffered severe bruises, and for a moment I had a terrible
flashback when that bus was swerving all over the road.

"I hope this incident will be investigated thoroughly and the
perpetrators are made to face the justice system.

Emmanuel Emenike has only scored four goals in 23 league appearances
this season but insists this latest incident will not force him to
quit the Istanbul-based club.

"I have a contract here and I love the club,"he added.

"It's only an isolated incident and not enough to make me look for an
easy way out.

"I have put the past behind me and I am only focussing on what lies
ahead. I am stronger now than before and right now I just want to wish
our bus driver a speedy recovery."

Fenerbahce have since called for the Turkish Super Lig to be suspended
following the attack.

Emenike, who has endured a turbulent period in Turkish football since
he re-joined Fenerbahce in 2013 has been plagued with series of hard
times in Turkey. Recently, he demanded to be substituted after he was
booed by his own fans during their 1-0 home win over rivals Besiktas.

I Will Make Life Miserable For Igbos In Lagos If They Don't Vote For APC --Oba Of Lagos Threatens Ndi Igbo

Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has read the riot act to Igbo lead¬ers
and monarchs in Lagos State, warning that he will make life unbearable
for them if they sabotage efforts being made to ensure that the
governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr.
Akinwunmi Am¬bode, emerges as the next governor of the state.The
monarch, who sum¬moned all the Eze-Ndigbo in the state to his palace,
said the support of their kensmen for the opposition party in the
state could frustrate current ef¬forts being made in all quarters to
ensure that Lagos was no longer in opposition with the Federal
Government.

He said: "On Saturday, if anyone of you goes against Ambode, who I
picked, that is your end. If it does not happen within seven days,
just know that I am a bastard and it is not my father who gave birth
to me."By the grace of God, I am the owner of Lagos for the time
being. This is an undivid¬ed chair. The palace belongs to the dead and
those coming in the future. On Saturday, if anyone of you, I swear in
the name of God, goes against my wish that Ambode will be the next
governor of Lagos State, the person is going to die in¬side this
water."For the Igbo and others in Lagos, they should go where the Oba
of Lagos heads to. When they were coming to the state, they did not
come with all their houses. But now, they have properties in the
state. So they must do my bidding. And that is the bidding of the
ances¬tors of Lagos and God."I am not ready to beg you. Nobody knew
how I picked Ambode. Jimi is my blood relation and I told him that he
could never be governor in Lagos for now. The future belongs to God. I
am not beg¬ging anybody, but what you people cannot do in Onitsha, Aba
or anywhere you cannot do it here."

WHAT RIGHT DOES THIS OBA HAS TO THREATEN IGBOS IN LAGOS?

Harass civilians, prepare for retirement --Amaechi tells police

The Rivers State Governor and the Director-General of the Buhari
Campaign Organisation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has said with the emergence
of Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) as the President-elect, there
will be no police brutality and molestation in the state.

Amaechi, who called on the people of the state to vote the All
Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, in
the April 11, 2015, election, assured voters that any police that
harassed them would be punished.

Speaking during a ward-to-ward campaign in Emohua and Ikwerre Local
Government Areas on Saturday, the governor urged the electorate not to
be afraid to come out and vote.

"Next week Saturday, I expect everybody to come out and vote. There
will be no police molestation again. There will be no Army harassment
again. Any police that molests you must be preparing to retire and
this time, it will not be retirement, it will be punishment for
retirement. So, come out to vote. We are looking for you to come out
to vote.

"The reason why I am running from ward to ward is to encourage you to
come out because after what the police and the Army did last time,
everybody will be afraid to come out. Saturday, we should all come out
to vote and as your governor, I urge you to vote for APC," he said.

Amaechi emphasised that his administration would set up a commission
of enquiry to look into election-related deaths in the state during
the March 28, 2015 presidential election, adding that those found
guilty would be punished according to the law.

He said, "We have agreed to set up a commission of enquiry to
investigate all the killings so far. So, all those people who killed,
we shall punish them. Whether they like it or not, they must account
for everybody they killed.

"For the police, we believe that by now, they must have learnt their
lesson. We believe that by now, they must have known that they were
politicians and not Nigerian police. This Saturday, we expect them to
be Nigerian police and not Nigerian politicians.
--PUNCH

Buhari Drops Names Of Nigeria's New NSA, Secretary To FG

The race to get political appointments in the forthcoming Muhammadu
Buhari-led All Progressives Congress government has begun, PUNCH
reports.

It was learnt in Abuja that although consultations for cabinet and
National Assembly positions are still on-going, the manoeuvre among
Buhari's loyalists for political appointments has begun.

PUNCH gathered that for now, top on the list of appointments expected
to be made by the President-elect, include but not limited to the
National Security Adviser and the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation.

Although the APC leaders are currently seeking to consolidate on last
week's victory in the Presidential and National Assembly elections,
they are not oblivious of the task ahead.

However, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,
dismissed what he called "speculations" about appointments.

He said, "We are focused on the governorship and House of Assembly
elections and we will not be distracted."

PUNCH however gathered that among those being considered for the
positions of NSA are: a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen.
Abdurrahman Dambazau (retd) and former Inspector-General of Police,
Alhaji Ibrahim Commassie.

The former Army Chief is currently the Director in charge of the
Security Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

Commassie, on the other hand is currently the Chairman of the northern
socio-cultural organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum.

An APC chieftain, who did not want his name mentioned, said, "Although
there are about three people being considered for the post of NSA,
Gen. Dambazau, is currently topping the list.

"Commassie, who was Gen. Buhari's schoolmate and one other retired
officer of the SSS are among those being considered."

For the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
there are feelers that the APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun,
is among those being considered.

It was also learnt that a former Commissioner for Economic Planning
and Budget in Lagos State, the Anambra State born Ben Akabueze, may
also be considered.

Another name said to be under consideration is Ambassador Hakeem Baba
Ahmed, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary, who had a stint as the
Secretary to the Kaduna State Government under then Col. Hammed Ali
(presently Chief of Staff, to the President-elect).

CAN President Pst. Ayo Oritsejafor Prays For Gen. Buhari's Administration

The president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, pastor Ayo
Oritsejafor has prayed for the regime of incoming president, Muhammad
Buhari.

He also praised President Goodluck Jonathan for his acceptance of defeat.

"The need for peace that our President, Goodluck Jonathan has
demonstrated in the recently held presidential elections should be the
point of reference for all our political leaders in the coming
elections.

"There is nothing greater than peace and love as enunciated by God and
demonstrated by our dear president. I also pray for peace for the
incoming administration led by Rtd Major General, Muhammadu Buhari
with optimism that Nigeria will witness peace and progress under his
administration."
--TheNation

Omotola Celebrates Two Million Followers On Facebook

Nollywood diva, Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde is in a class of her own. In
recent times, the actress has been garnering recognition of global
proportions and it would seem that there is no stopping her.

To add to her list of firsts, an excited Omosexy, as she is fondly
called, on Sunday, announced that her Facebook page has clocked two
million followers.

"Whoop!Whoop! 2 * #million likes on Facebook today. 5/4/15. Amazing!
What an amazing Easter gift. Thanks to you all...remember two years ago,
we got to 1million (1st in Africa) on my birthday. Now as we celebrate
Christ's resurrection, you have gifted me with your 2nd million!!! May
everything in all y'all's life begin to rise and blow your minds in
Jesus name," an excited Omotola posted on her fan page.

In 2013, the actress made headlines when she was listed as number 34
of Times Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.